A safer spooky season
How to celebrate Halloween during the pandemic
The holiday season is just ramping up.
First on the agenda: Halloween. And given the precautions we’ve lived under the past six months, some cities have already begun canceling events.
“Halloween will undoubtedly be different this year, but there are still plenty of fun ways to celebrate,” said Martha Stewart. “A backyard get-together is a great way to gather while socially distanced. Serve individually portioned or packaged Halloween themed snacks. Set up individual pumpkin decorating stations with carving utensils and all the decorating essentials. If you can’t celebrate in person, a virtual Halloween is a great alternative. Decorate your space with spooky decor or download a themed Zoom background and have a digital costume contest.” You can see more of Stewart’s ideas at marthastewart.com.
“It’s really about being creative this year,” said Laurie Brentlinger, assistant vice president of Infection Control and Prevention at Nuvance Health, in New York. “How can you creatively match what your needs are and your child’s needs are to the environment really takes some creativity. And that creativity has to match how you are going to manage your mask. Do I wear a superhero costume and then have a Superman ‘S’ on my mask … so I’m still protected with my mouth and nose covered and still have a good vision? It’s how do you create that safe environment, with a little bit of fun to go with it. So that the kids get to retain that celebration.”
Whether you’re planning to celebrate indoors or outside for some Halloween merriment (spooky car parade, anyone?), Oct. 31 will arrive on schedule. Here are a few suggestions on how to celebrate the scariest of days.
drockett@chicagotribune.com
Forgo the drive-in that may have movies that the whole family can’t relate to. Instead, opt for a boo-vie night at home that all ages can enjoy. “Young Frankenstein” has all the laughs and sarcasm one could ever need on Halloween and the 2015 film “Goosebumps” is something generations can bond over (parents who read the R.L. Stine book series can talk about the finer points of the flick with their offspring). In Tim Burton’s 3D stop-motion-animated “Frankenweenie,” young Victor conducts a science experiment to bring his beloved dog Sparky back to life. The 1993 film “Hocus Pocus” casts Bette Midler as part of a trio of diabolical witches awakened by a curious youngster. Rent or buy on Amazon Prime Video.
Martha Stewart Crafts at Michaels has an array of craft paint, spray paint, tools, and stencils that are perfect for bringing your pumpkin to life. Then set up socially distanced, outdoor pumpkin carving and painting stations for a small circle of friends. The children can paint or decorate their pumpkins, and the adults can carve or paint while enjoying a glass of wine.
Bring out those masks and strut your stuff for friends and family in a Halloween Zoom fashion show. Make it a contest; whoever has the best mask game wins the Pumpkin King/Queen title and gets to dictate who has to give treats or do tricks for those watching. $9.50- $17, Threadless.com. Wakanda Like A Man face mask by Kirby Mack, $9.50, threadless.com
Pottery Barn’s black twig bat wreath makes scary-chic bright with LED bulbs. $59, potterybarn.com.
With neighborhood trick-or-treating uncertain, swap premade goodie bags with those in your COVID-19 bubble of friends. Drop candy-filled bags at neighbors’ doorsteps as a contact-free way of spreading the wealth without spreading germs. Treat Bags, $1, partycity.com